Blackout Part 10

“You can hate more than one thing,” Serena said matter of fact. “I mean, green apples an’ broccoli prove that. Jagg’s are assholes, an’ mostly you pay ‘em an’ they go away. Hellhounds take people an’ lab rat ‘em.”

“First off, the green apples are innocent. Second, they are in no way related to broccoli, not even the same green color. I also have no argument for the rest of your assessment.” He uncrossed his arms finging his finger through his hair. “Okay so … where a Hellhound to take someone … where would .. .they … or … I take them. Do not say valhalla.”

“Dunno,” Serena said quickly. “Not the sprawl.”

“Shoulda said don't say the sprawl.” Vas grumbled. He checked his side pouch … because … it felt wrong. And it was. Cuz it was empty.

Right.

Radio. And it was gone. Because of course.

“Okay but do you know anything beyond … hellhound scary … hellhound go bump in the night.” He asked.

“They have black eyes an’ bleed blue on account of copper instead ‘a iron,” she told him.

“OKay can you give me something you didn't learn today?” Vas asked dryly.

“Why?” Serena asked, tilting her head to the side. “I mean, if you don’t know about bein’ a hellhound, why do you wanna go back to it?”

Vas paused trying to absorb the logic. “I mean … technically that would be my home … right?” Was pretty much the only valid argument he could muster.

“Maybe,” she said. “But if it was, why’d they leave you alone, in the Sprawl especially. I mean, you near got your boots robbed first thing.”

“I could literally think of a dozen scenarios, two of them involving explosives.” Vas said dismissively. “THe real question is … when i get outta of the sprawl where the hell do i go front here. I can't exactly shoot up a flare and hope for the best.” He said starting to pace.

“Well…” Serena offered. “You could stick around ‘til you figure it out. I mean, I know a place you can hole up ‘til you figure it out.”

Vas paused his pacing, thinking. The gears turning in his head then grinding like someone who was learning to drive a manual. He had nothing. Not even a damn direction. Not a name or vague that way. “Im sure it's better than here," he said half-heartedly. “Uh … yea … I mean just until I … figure this out …” Vas said, trying to keep the confidence in his voice. It wasn't working because so far all he had was a pile of questions and no answers. And that was starting to get to him.

“If you don’t wanna, that’s fine too. I mean, I said I’d show you to the border an’ mostly I don’t go back on my word,” she told him.

“Mostly?” Vas snorted with a smirk. “Dunno much where to go past the border so … might as well figure things out here. Good a place as any …”